Lightweight Gun Rest Swivel Seat Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A lightweight gun rest swivel seat apparatus that positions a hunter in a compact sitting configuration on the ground or supported on a bucket yet allows the hunter to support and adjust the elevation of a gun barrel and simultaneously rotate the seat member to track a moving target. The apparatus includes a planar lower platform and a lower seat member and a back support. The seat member is coaxially aligned and disposed over the lower platform. A rotating joint is disposed between the seat member and the lower platform. Pivotally attached to the seat member is a forward extending, gun support. During use, the seat member and the gun rest may rotate 360 degrees. The gun rest is adjustable in length and biased to automatically lengthen when no downward force is applied. Two or more folding leg assemblies are attached to the bottom surface of the lower platform.

This utility patent application is based upon and claims the filing date benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 61/666841 filed on Jun. 30, 2012.

Notice is given that the following patent document contains original material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile or digital download reproduction of all or part of the patent document, but otherwise reserves all copyrights.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to portable seats used by hunters when hunting, and more particularly to such seats that include a gun rest that rotate together 360 degrees.

2. Description of the Related Art:

Hunters often walk a considerable distances when hunting. They try to carry only a minimum amount of lightweight hunting gear and equipment. When hunting wild turkeys, hunters will search for a roost and setup a blind 75 to 100 1 yards away waiting for a turkey to leave the roost within gun range. Sometimes, the hunter waits several hours for a turkey to present itself. While waiting, the hunter must remain quiet and nearly motionless. A seat that slightly elevates the hunter off the ground that is comfortable, supports his or her back, and supports the barrel of the gun in a position aimed at the target area is very desirable.

A 10 to 12 gauge shotgun is commonly used to hunt wild turkeys. The wild turkey must be shot at relatively close range (i.e. 40 yards or less) and at a precise location around the head and neck so the shot pellets do not penetrate the torso. Because a shotgun is heavy and holding it in a shooting position for extended periods of time can be tiresome, many hunters use a vertically aligned, gun rest setup on the ground directly in front of them that supports the barrel of the gun. Because a turkey leaving or entering a roost site may not be directly in front of a hunter, the hunter sometimes must reposition the gun rest. Repositioning the gun rest is time consuming and may create motion and noises that alert the turkey.

What is needed is a lightweight, low profile seat apparatus that swivels or rotates 360 degrees, folds into a compact configuration for transport which can be quickly and quietly setup on flat or sloped ground, and includes a back support. What is also needed is a seat apparatus that includes a gun rest coupled to the seat apparatus so they rotate together. What is also needed is such an apparatus in which the gun rest is pivotally attached to the seat apparatus allowing the gun rest to be angularly adjusted with respect to the seat and hunter, and allows the height of the gun rest to be adjusted to support the barrel at different angles and elevations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

At the heart of the invention is the discovery that hunters need lightweight portable, rotating seats adaptable for different terrains, with or without a gun rest member that supports the barrel of a gun and rotates with the seat.

Disclosed herein is a lightweight, portable gun rest swivel seat apparatus that includes a low profile, rotating seat that positions the hunter in a compact sitting configuration on the ground and may hold the barrel of the gun in a rigid gun rest in a shooting position. The seat apparatus allows the hunter to quietly and easily adjust the angular position and the elevation or height of the gun rest so the barrel may be supported at a desired angle or elevation relative to the hunter when sitting. The seat apparatus is coupled to the gun rest that enables them to rotate simultaneously to track a moving target if desired.

The seat apparatus includes a lower platform, and a rotating seat mounted thereon. The rotating seat includes a lower seat member and a back support. The rotating seat is coaxially aligned and disposed directly over the lower platform. Attached to the front area of the lower seat member is a forward extending, elongated gun rest.

The gun rest is designed to support the barrel of a gun when the hunter is holding the gun stock and sitting in the rotating seat. The gun rest is a rigid structure pivotally attached to the front area of the rotating seat. An adjustable clamping bracket is used to pivotally attach the proximal end of the gun rest member to the rotating seat. The gun rest is telescopically adjustable and includes an elongated lower member and an elongated upper member longitudinally aligned with the lower member. On the distal end of the upper member is a barrel cradle. A means for biasing them is provided that enables the full weight of the gun's barrel to press the upper member downward into the lower member. In one embodiment, the means for biasing is a coil compression spring that provides a sufficient amount of resistance to allow a hunter to hold the upper member downward in the lower member using the weight of his or her hand over the barrel or barrel cradle. When the hand is lifted, the upper member extends longitudinally from the lower member to raise the barrel cradle and the barrel quickly and easily. In another embodiment, a locking pin is provided that allows the hunter to lock the upper and lower members together to set the gun support at a fixed, shorten length during transport. In still another embodiment, a plastic sleeve is placed inside the lower member reduces noise that may be created when the upper member moves longitudinally inside the lower member.

Disposed between the lower platform and the rotating seat is a quiet, lightweight rotating joint that allows the rotating seat to quietly rotate 360 degrees around the lower platform in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.

Attached to the bottom surface of the lower platform are two leg assemblies designed that support the lower platform in an elevated position on a support surface. In one embodiment, each leg assembly includes a main tube with a pair of long legs and a pair of short legs. One long leg and one short leg are located at the opposite ends of the main tube. The two long legs are parallel and the two short legs are parallel. The pair of long legs and pair of short legs are radically aligned approximately 90 degrees apart. During use, the hunter can selectively rotated the legs assembles so the lower platform is horizontally aligned on a horizontal or a diagonal support surface. The two pairs of short legs are also sufficiently spaced apart to allow them to be inserted into the top opening of a standard 5 gallon bucket commonly carried by a hunter.

In one embodiment shown, the back support can fold inward forming a compact structure. An optional body carrying strap, such as a shoulder strap or a backpack harness strap, is provided that allows the seat apparatus to be easily transported over rugged terrain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a hunter sitting on the gun rest swivel seat apparatus positioned on the ground with a long gun aimed at a target with the barrel supported by the gun rest member.

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing a hunter sitting on the seat apparatus mounted on a standard bucket with the long gun aimed at a target with the barrel supported by the gun rest.

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing a hunter sitting on the seat apparatus mounted on a bucket with the gun rest removed enabling the hunter to quickly rotate from side-to-side and raise and lower the gun barrel when shooting airborne game birds.

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing a hunter carrying the seat apparatus in a folded configuration via a shoulder strap hung over the hunter's shoulder.

FIG. 5 is an illustration showing the seat apparatus in a folded configuration.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the seat apparatus with gun disposed across the seat apparatus and a long gun barrel being supported by the gun rest member.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the seat apparatus showing the movement of the back support between a back supporting position and a collapsed position for storage and transport.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the seat apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of the seat apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the seat apparatus showing the rotational movement of the seat over the lower platform in 360 degrees.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the lower platform with two independent adjustable legs.

FIG. 12 is an exploded, side elevational view of the lower platform.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the seat plate.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the lower platform.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the pivoting gun rest member and the front gun rest connecting bracket.

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the gun rest member.

FIG. 17 is a partial, sectional side elevational view of the gun rest member showing the gun barrel tube inserted into the gun rest member being biased upward by a coil compression spring.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line 18-18 in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view showing the two leg assemblies rotated so the two short leg segments on each assembly are extended downward and placed on a ground surface.

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view showing the two leg assemblies rotated so the long legs one each leg assembly are extended downward on a ground surface.

FIG. 21 is a side elevational view showing the two leg assemblies rotated so the two short leg segments on one leg assembly are rotated downward and the long leg segments attached to the second leg assembly are extended downward enabling the lower platform to be horizontally aligned on a sloping ground surface.

FIG. 22 is a partial bottom plan view of the lower platform showing an optional locking tab on a short leg and a latch lock that prevents the leg assembly from rotating.

FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the seat apparatus with the short legs on the two leg assemblies rotated downward for insertion into a bucket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the accompanying FIGS. 1-23, there is shown a lightweight, portable gun rest swivel seat apparatus 10 that allows a hunter 5 to comfortably sit in a compact sitting configuration on the ground 8 while the barrel 7 of a gun 6 is supported and held at a desired elevation by light downward pressure exerted by the hunter's hand 9 on a barrel cradle 96. The seat apparatus 10 is designed for use with or without a gun rest 80 and setup directly on flat or sloped ground 8 desirable for certain types of hunting or elevated and mounted over the top opening on a standard 5 gallon bucket 11, (See FIGS. 2 and 23). The gun rest 80 may also be removed entirely from the seat apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 3, that allows the hunter 5 and the seat apparatus 10 to rotate and move the long gun unobstructed when aiming at a fast moving flying target.

The apparatus 10 is designed to be lightweight, collapsible, for easy transport over the hunter's shoulder (see FIGS. 4 and 5), or in a backpack configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 6-10, the seat apparatus 10 includes a small, planar lower platform 20 and a rotating seat 40 mounted there over. The rotating seat 40 includes a seat member 50 and a back support 70. The rotating seat 40 is coaxially aligned and disposed directly over the lower platform 20. Disposed between the lower platform 20 and the rotating seat 40 is a quiet, lightweight rotating joint 45 that allows the rotating seat 40 to quietly rotate 360 degrees in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions over the lower platform 20.

Attached to the front edge of the rotating seat 40 opposite the back support 70 is a forward pivoting gun rest 80. In the embodiment shown, the gun rest 80 is removably attached to the front edge of the rotating seat 40 by a bracket 100 shown in FIG. 15. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the back support 70 is pivotally mounted to the rotating seat 40 by two rigid arms 72, 74. It should be understood however, that the back support 70 may be removable from the seat assembly 10 or attached in a fixed in position.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 11-14, the lower platform 20 includes a coaxially aligned planar lower platform 22, and a seat plate 30. Mounted on top of the seat plate 30 is a rigid or cushioned seat member 50. The lower platform 22 and the seat plate 30 are parts of a rotating joint 45 that allows the rotating seat 40 to quietly rotate 360 degrees in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. The lower platform 22 is a square structure approximately 12 to 18 inches in width and length with a flat circular disk 28 made of polyxymethylene (POM) also known as acetyl polyacetal and polyformaldehyde affixed to its top surface via threaded connectors 27. Formed centrally on the lower platform 22 and the disk 28 is a ½ inch bore 29 that receives a bolt 36 that extends downward from the seat plate 30. In one embodiment, the lower platform 22 is made of plywood with a center bushing 26 inserted and coaxially aligned with the center bore 29. Disk 28 is approximately 6 inches in diameter and ⅜ inch thick. A nut 27 is coaxially aligned with the bore 29 that connects to the bolt 36.

The seat plate 30 is a thin metal plate made of aluminum. Extending outward from the front edge of the seat plate 30 is an extension neck 32. Mounted on the top surface of the extension neck 32 is a lower bracket member 37. Bolt 36 is centrally aligned and extends perpendicularly downward from the bottom surface of the seat plate 30. Located over the bottom surface of the seat plate 30 and coaxially aligned on the bolt 36 is a thin sliding plate 38 made of low friction material, such as ultra high density plastic. Sliding plate 38 is approximately 3/16 inches thick and is affixed to the bottom surface of the seat plate 30. The seat member 50 is mounted over the top surface of the seat plate 30 via threaded connectors 52. When assembled, the sliding plate 38 is coaxially aligned over the fixed disk 28 which together reduces noise and friction between the lower platform 22 and the seat plate 30 when rotated.

The gun rest 80 is mounted to the extension neck 32 formed on the seat plate 30. The gun rest 80 is a hollow, L-shaped tube structure. The gun rest 80 is telescopic and adjustable in length and includes an L-shaped lower member 82 an upper member 90. In the embodiment shown the upper member 90 slides inside the lower member 82. An elongated coil compression spring 120 is located inside lower member 82 that biases the upper member 90 upward so it automatically extends upward from the lower member 82 when no force is applied to it. Attached or formed on the end of upper member 90 is a U-shaped gun barrel cradle 96. Disposed longitudinally inside the lower member 82 is an optional noise reduction tube 98 made of non-metallic material that prevents the upper member 90 from sliding directly over the inside surface of the lower member 82.

In the embodiment shown, the lower member 82 and the upper member 90 are circular in cross-section. To prevent rotation of the upper member 90 inside the lower member 80 a lock pin 81 may be provided that prevents rotation of the upper member 90 in the lower member 82. The lock pin 81 is attached to the lower end of the upper member 90 and slides longitudinally along the slot 89. A J-shaped short slot, perpendicularly aligned nd located at the end of the slot 89 is formed on the lower member 82 that receives the pin 81 to fix the upper member 80 in a retracted position inside the lower member 82 during transport.

During use, the weight of the barrel 7 of a gun 6 is placed on the barrel cradle 96 that forces the upper member 90 downward into the lower member 82. The coil compression spring 120 has sufficient elasticity to force the upper member 90 automatically upward when no force is applied to it. The coil compression spring 120 also provides light resistance to allow the hunter to easily move the upper member 90 downward into the lower member 82 using his or her non-trigger hand 9 when placed on the barrel 7 or on the barrel cradle 96 until the barrel cradle 96 is at the desired elevation. When the weight of the user's hand 9 is released on the barrel cradle 96, the upper member 90 extends outward and lifts the barrel 7 enabling the hunter to quickly and easily raise the height of the barrel 7 with little or no fatigue.

As mentioned above, the lower support 82 is an L-shaped structure with a long leg 83 and a short leg 84. Mounted or formed on the end of the short leg 84 is a transversely aligned rod 86. Formed on the ends of the rod 86 are threaded bores 87 that receive a threaded connector 88.

The rod 86 is designed to fit into a recessed cavity 102 formed on the bracket 100 attached to the neck 32 on the seat plate 30. The bracket 100 includes an upper clamping member 104 and a lower clamping member 108 that when stacked together form an enclosed recessed cylindrical cavity 102 that receives the rod 86. Threaded connectors 110, 112 are used to attached the upper clamping member 104 to the lower clamping member 108 to hold the rod 86 in place on the neck 32 Two optional plastic or nylon bushings 114 may be placed over the rod 86 and inside the cavity 102 that allows the hunter to adjust the torque required to rotate the gun rest 80.

Two leg assemblies 120, 130 are attached to the bottom surface of the lower platform 22. Each leg assembly includes a main tube 122, 132, two parallel long tube segments 124, 134, and two short leg segments 126, 136, respectively. The two long tube segments 124, 136 and the two short leg segments on each leg assembly 120, 130, respectively, are parallel. The long tube segments 124, 134, are perpendicularly aligned with the two short leg segments 126, 136.

The two leg assemblies 120, 130 are mounted on opposite sides of the lower platform 22 by clamps 115 and configured to selectively rotate 90 degrees.

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view showing the two leg assemblies rotated so the two short leg segments 126, 136 on each assembly 120, 130 are extended downward and placed on a ground 8.

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view showing the two leg assemblies rotated so the long legs 124 or 134 one each leg assembly are extended downward on a ground 8.

FIG. 21 is a side elevational view showing the two leg assemblies 120, 130 rotated so the two short leg segments 136, on one leg assembly 130 are rotated downward and the long leg segment 124 attached to the second leg assembly 120 are extended downward enabling the support platform to be horizontally aligned on a sloping ground 8.

FIG. 22 is a partial bottom plan view of the lower platform 22 showing an optional locking tab 128 on a short leg segment 126 and a latch lock 140 that prevents the leg assembly 120 from rotating.

The short legs 126 and 136 are positioned on each leg assembly 120, 130 so they may be inserted into a bucket 11. As shown in FIG. 23 when the two pairs of short leg segments are rotated downward, they may be inserted into the top opening (approx. 12 inches in diameter) of a standard 5 gallon bucket 11.

The seat apparatus 10 is lightweight (approximately 9 to 11 lbs in weight) and designed so the lower platform 20, the seat apparatus 30 and the gun rest 80 are permanently connected together making assembly and disassembly quick and easy. The seat apparatus 10 may also include a body carrying strap, such as a shoulder strap 12 or a backpack harness strap (not shown) that enable the seat apparatus 10 to be easily transported in a compact folded configuration (approximately 15 inch×15 inch×6 inches) over the hunter's shoulder. In compliance with the statute, the invention described has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown, comprises the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted under the doctrine of equivalents. 

I claim:
 1. A lightweight, gun rest swivel seat apparatus, comprising: a. a lower platform; b. a plurality of leg assemblies attached to said lower platform that support said lower platform in an elevated position above a support surface or structure; c. a rotating seat located above said lower platform, said rotating seat includes a lower seat member and a back support; and, d. a length adjustable gun rest pivotally attached to said rotating seat, said gun rest includes a barrel cradle located at one end and pivotally attached at an opposite end to said rotating seat.
 2. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said gun rest includes an elongated upper member and an elongated lower member, said upper member and said lower member being longitudinally aligned and telescopically coupled together to allow said gun rest to be selectively adjusted in length.
 3. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 2, further including a coil compression spring that applies a biasing force that resist the downward, longitudinally movement of said upper member on said lower member.
 4. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein each said leg assembly includes a rotating main tube with two long leg segments mounted on opposite ends and two short leg segments also mounted on opposite ends, said short leg segments being perpendicular to said long leg segments.
 5. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 4, further including a means for locking each said leg assembly to prevent the rotation of said main tube.
 6. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said lower platform includes a lower platform and a seat plate coaxially aligned above said lower platform.
 7. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 6, wherein said gun rest includes an elongated upper member and an elongated lower member, said upper member and said lower member being longitudinally aligned and telescopically coupled together to allow said gun rest to be selectively adjusted in length.
 8. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 6, further including a fixed disk attached to said seat plate and a sliding disk attached to said lower platform, said fixed disk and said sliding disk made of low friction material that enable said seat assembly to rotate freely over said lower platform.
 9. The seat apparatus as recited in claim 4, further including an inner spacer located inside said gun rest and between said upper member and said lower member and prevents said upper member and said lower member from contacting and reducing sounds.
 10. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 6, wherein said inner spacer is an elongated tube made of non-metallic material disposed
 11. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 2, wherein said upper member and said lower member are circular tubes in cross-section.
 12. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 11, further including a locking bolt that holds said upper member at a fixed position on said lower member.
 13. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said back member is configured to rotate between an upward extending positions from said seat member to a folding position extending over said seat member.
 14. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 1, further including at least one body carrying strap.
 15. A lightweight, gun supporting seat apparatus, comprising: a. a lower platform; b. a plurality of legs attached to said lower platform that support said lower platform in an elevated position above the ground; c. a seat disposed over said lower platform, said seat includes a lower seat member and a folding back support; d. means for rotating mounting said seat member over said lower platform; and, e. a gun rest pivotally attached to said seat member, said gun rest includes a barrel cradle, said gun rest includes an elongated upper member and an elongated lower member, said upper member and said lower member being longitudinally aligned and telescopically coupled together, said gun rest also includes a spring that automatically biases said upper member in an extended position from said lower member.
 16. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 15, further including an inner spacer located inside said gun rest and between said upper member and said lower member and prevents said upper member and said lower member from contacting and reducing sounds created if said upper member and said lower member are telescopically adjusted.
 17. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 15, wherein said upper member and said lower member are tubes circular in cross-section.
 18. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 17, further including a locking bolt that holds said upper member at a fixed position on said lower member.
 19. The seat apparatus, as recited in claim 14, further including at least one body carrying strap.
 20. A lightweight, gun rest swivel seat apparatus, comprising: a. a lower platform; b. a plurality of leg assemblies attached to said lower platform that support said lower platform in an elevated position above a support surface or structure; c. a seat member located above said lower platform; d. a low-sound producing rotating joint located between said lower platform and said seat member; and, e. a length adjustable gun rest pivotally attached to said seat member that includes a barrel cradle located at one end. 